Good Morning!
Homeopathy Awareness Week April 10-16
To culminate the awareness week about homeopathy, I would like to offer some great tips and remedies.
The father of homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who discovered the law of cure known as "Similia Similibus Curentur", is honored each year at the start of his birthday in order to bring awareness to this amazing form of medicine. Homeopaths, patients and supporters around the world celebrate this invaluable healing science that has transformed millions of lives.
Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness. It stimulates a person's immune system and body's natural defenses. Homeopathy not only offers relief from temporary disorders but, can provide long term healing.
Homeopathics are created by taking the remedy: a plant, mineral, chemical, or animal substance, diluting it in water and shaking it vigorously. The more it is sequentially diluted and shaken, the more potent the medicine. This is why minuscule doses are used.
"Like cures Like". Here are some perfect examples:
* A full strength dose of Ipeca will cause vomiting.
In a very diluted dose, it becomes a remedy to control nausea and vomiting.
* Coffee before bed will generally cause a sleepless night.
In an infinitesimal dose, it is used to treat insomnia.
*A large dose of sodium sulfate will characteristically provoke diarrhea.
An infinitesimal or homeopathic dose can cure that same type of diarrhea.
In general, the first session with a homeopath is for him/her to get to know your genetic heritage, lifelong health history, body type, psychological type, and present symptoms. The homeopath will ask many questions which seem out of the norm from a conventional doctor, but you must remember, his job is to consider your "whole" person.
He will ask questions like:
1. What time of day is your energy highest and lowest?
2. What type of weather or temperature do you love, hate?
3. How are you affected by being in the mountains, seashore?
4. What foods do you crave, are averse to, irritated by?
5. What position do you sleep in?
6. What dreams do you remember?
7. How does motion or lying down affect you?
There are hundreds of remedies with homeopathy as well as other modalities that employ the same theory called the Doctrine of Signatures. Start by looking at Avoiding the Antidotes. These are the contraindications when taking homeopathic remedies. Check Determining Dosage to understand how to take homeopathic remedies. Match Signs and Symptoms in order to choose the Best Homeopathic Remedy. Homeopathy is a profound and great integrative therapy that can be used in conjunction with many other forms of health care.
Homeopathic remedies can complement conventional drugs. There are no contraindications and no known side effects.
Avoiding the Antidotes
Homeopathic remedies are powerful remedies but they work in such small doses that they can easily be compromised! According to Classic Homeopathy, the following antidotes should be avoided:
Avoid heat, light, moisture.
Keep homeopathic remedies tightly sealed in a cool, dark place. The steam in your bathroom may not be a safe place for them. Consider an area outside of the medicine chest.
Refrain from mint.
Mint or peppermint toothpaste, mint in your ice tea or mint chocolate chip ice cream should all be avoided during the time you are using homeopathic remedies.
Avoid Aromatics.
Menthol, camphor, tiger balm and perfume can neutralize homeopathic remedies.
Don't touch.
Pour the remedy pills from the bottle into the cap. Then pour them under your tongue. The oil from your hands can affect them.
Not with meals.
Take one half hour before eating or one to two hours after.
Don't chew or swallow.
Dissolve homeopathic pellets under the tongue. They absorb quickly into the bloodstream this way. Homeopathic drops can be taken the same way or in a glass of water.
Avoid stimulants.
Avoid smoking, coffee and caffeine especially within 30 minutes of taking homeopathic remedies.
Determining Dosage and Dilution
Whenever possible, take a remedy at bedtime, as the body is at rest. During the day try to take the remedy away from meals, at least 1/2 hour before eating, and at least one hour after eating because while the body is busy digesting food there can be a digestive upset with certain remedies. In an acute case, such as an injury, take the remedy immediately no matter when you have eaten. The mouth should also be free of any strong tastes. You may drink liquids shortly before and after taking a remedy. If you are taking a remedy several times a day, try to schedule some of the doses before bed, upon waking and during the day.
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.
Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.
If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.
Read the recommended dosage for each remedy, which usually is to be taken before meals unless indicated otherwise. Homeopathic remedies are comprised of natural ingredients and will cause no harm if you take too much.
Purposely taking more than the prescribed dosage will not result in an enhanced effect. If you take too little, or miss a dose, just continue on as normal with your next scheduled dose. Missing dosages will only result in the remedy being less effective.
Homeopathic drops should be placed onto the tongue so that they are directly absorbed by the mucous membranes. Should the taste be too strong, a few drops of water may be added.
What is a dilution?
A homeopathic medicine is obtained by using the process of successive dilutions of a mother tincture in order to achieve the maximum benefit for a particular symptom. The mother tincture is created by breaking a substance down and then dissolving it in alcohol or water, depending on the substance.
Homeopathic dilutions are made by dissolving 1 part of an active ingredient, for example Apis, with 9 parts of an inactive ingredient such as water or alcohol. This 1:9 ratio is referred to as a "D" dilution. Each time the mixture is diluted, called a succession, it has to be shaken by hand in a certain way to achieve the desired effect.
By combining one part mother tincture with 9 parts alcohol/water, we reach D1 dilution (expressed as 1x in the product description). Each dilution factor has different properties and affects different symptoms. Homeopathic medicines may have different dilutions of the same mother tincture depending on the desired effects. If you read 'Apis 4x' on our label, it means one part Apis was mixed with 9 parts of alcohol/water, resulting in Apis 1x. One part Apis 1x was then added to 9 parts alcohol/water in order to get Apis 2x (D2) which combined with 9 parts alcohol/water gives us Apis 3x (D3). One more succession brings us to Apis 4x (D4).
Signs and Symptoms
Modalities are the modifying influences and circumstances which either ameliorate (influences, which make the symptoms feel better), or aggravate (influences, which make the symptoms worse). Modalities include many factors and stimuli as perceived by the patient. Modalities may have to do with temperature, weather, climate, movement, activity, time, right and left side, sensations, physical contact, foods, drinks, etc. They are the sensory manner and mode of how the symptoms are felt by the individual, and they are a most important criterion in choosing the right remedy.
Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/homeopathy.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
Homeopathy Awareness Week April 10-16
To culminate the awareness week about homeopathy, I would like to offer some great tips and remedies.
The father of homeopathy, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who discovered the law of cure known as "Similia Similibus Curentur", is honored each year at the start of his birthday in order to bring awareness to this amazing form of medicine. Homeopaths, patients and supporters around the world celebrate this invaluable healing science that has transformed millions of lives.
Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness. It stimulates a person's immune system and body's natural defenses. Homeopathy not only offers relief from temporary disorders but, can provide long term healing.
Homeopathics are created by taking the remedy: a plant, mineral, chemical, or animal substance, diluting it in water and shaking it vigorously. The more it is sequentially diluted and shaken, the more potent the medicine. This is why minuscule doses are used.
"Like cures Like". Here are some perfect examples:
* A full strength dose of Ipeca will cause vomiting.
In a very diluted dose, it becomes a remedy to control nausea and vomiting.
* Coffee before bed will generally cause a sleepless night.
In an infinitesimal dose, it is used to treat insomnia.
*A large dose of sodium sulfate will characteristically provoke diarrhea.
An infinitesimal or homeopathic dose can cure that same type of diarrhea.
In general, the first session with a homeopath is for him/her to get to know your genetic heritage, lifelong health history, body type, psychological type, and present symptoms. The homeopath will ask many questions which seem out of the norm from a conventional doctor, but you must remember, his job is to consider your "whole" person.
He will ask questions like:
1. What time of day is your energy highest and lowest?
2. What type of weather or temperature do you love, hate?
3. How are you affected by being in the mountains, seashore?
4. What foods do you crave, are averse to, irritated by?
5. What position do you sleep in?
6. What dreams do you remember?
7. How does motion or lying down affect you?
There are hundreds of remedies with homeopathy as well as other modalities that employ the same theory called the Doctrine of Signatures. Start by looking at Avoiding the Antidotes. These are the contraindications when taking homeopathic remedies. Check Determining Dosage to understand how to take homeopathic remedies. Match Signs and Symptoms in order to choose the Best Homeopathic Remedy. Homeopathy is a profound and great integrative therapy that can be used in conjunction with many other forms of health care.
Homeopathic remedies can complement conventional drugs. There are no contraindications and no known side effects.
Avoiding the Antidotes
Homeopathic remedies are powerful remedies but they work in such small doses that they can easily be compromised! According to Classic Homeopathy, the following antidotes should be avoided:
Avoid heat, light, moisture.
Keep homeopathic remedies tightly sealed in a cool, dark place. The steam in your bathroom may not be a safe place for them. Consider an area outside of the medicine chest.
Refrain from mint.
Mint or peppermint toothpaste, mint in your ice tea or mint chocolate chip ice cream should all be avoided during the time you are using homeopathic remedies.
Avoid Aromatics.
Menthol, camphor, tiger balm and perfume can neutralize homeopathic remedies.
Don't touch.
Pour the remedy pills from the bottle into the cap. Then pour them under your tongue. The oil from your hands can affect them.
Not with meals.
Take one half hour before eating or one to two hours after.
Don't chew or swallow.
Dissolve homeopathic pellets under the tongue. They absorb quickly into the bloodstream this way. Homeopathic drops can be taken the same way or in a glass of water.
Avoid stimulants.
Avoid smoking, coffee and caffeine especially within 30 minutes of taking homeopathic remedies.
Determining Dosage and Dilution
Whenever possible, take a remedy at bedtime, as the body is at rest. During the day try to take the remedy away from meals, at least 1/2 hour before eating, and at least one hour after eating because while the body is busy digesting food there can be a digestive upset with certain remedies. In an acute case, such as an injury, take the remedy immediately no matter when you have eaten. The mouth should also be free of any strong tastes. You may drink liquids shortly before and after taking a remedy. If you are taking a remedy several times a day, try to schedule some of the doses before bed, upon waking and during the day.
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.
Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.
If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.
Read the recommended dosage for each remedy, which usually is to be taken before meals unless indicated otherwise. Homeopathic remedies are comprised of natural ingredients and will cause no harm if you take too much.
Purposely taking more than the prescribed dosage will not result in an enhanced effect. If you take too little, or miss a dose, just continue on as normal with your next scheduled dose. Missing dosages will only result in the remedy being less effective.
Homeopathic drops should be placed onto the tongue so that they are directly absorbed by the mucous membranes. Should the taste be too strong, a few drops of water may be added.
What is a dilution?
A homeopathic medicine is obtained by using the process of successive dilutions of a mother tincture in order to achieve the maximum benefit for a particular symptom. The mother tincture is created by breaking a substance down and then dissolving it in alcohol or water, depending on the substance.
Homeopathic dilutions are made by dissolving 1 part of an active ingredient, for example Apis, with 9 parts of an inactive ingredient such as water or alcohol. This 1:9 ratio is referred to as a "D" dilution. Each time the mixture is diluted, called a succession, it has to be shaken by hand in a certain way to achieve the desired effect.
By combining one part mother tincture with 9 parts alcohol/water, we reach D1 dilution (expressed as 1x in the product description). Each dilution factor has different properties and affects different symptoms. Homeopathic medicines may have different dilutions of the same mother tincture depending on the desired effects. If you read 'Apis 4x' on our label, it means one part Apis was mixed with 9 parts of alcohol/water, resulting in Apis 1x. One part Apis 1x was then added to 9 parts alcohol/water in order to get Apis 2x (D2) which combined with 9 parts alcohol/water gives us Apis 3x (D3). One more succession brings us to Apis 4x (D4).
Signs and Symptoms
Modalities are the modifying influences and circumstances which either ameliorate (influences, which make the symptoms feel better), or aggravate (influences, which make the symptoms worse). Modalities include many factors and stimuli as perceived by the patient. Modalities may have to do with temperature, weather, climate, movement, activity, time, right and left side, sensations, physical contact, foods, drinks, etc. They are the sensory manner and mode of how the symptoms are felt by the individual, and they are a most important criterion in choosing the right remedy.
Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/homeopathy.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
